Directional firing casing and formation gun



c. A; Rlcou 2225,01

DIRECTIONAL FIRING CASING A ND FORMATION GUN Filed oct. 9, 1939 PatentedDee. 24, 1940 UNITI-:D 'si'm'riazs PATENT Aoi=1=ics DIBETIONAI.'FIRIING: CASING AND FORMATION GUN Clarence A. Bicou; Shreveport, La.,assignor to Petroleum Increase Corporation, Carthage,-

Tex., a corporation of Texas Application octane: s, 193s, serial No.298,124

1': calma (ci. isi-.0.5)

well.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a gun inaccordance with my invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational viewof the gun with certain parts broken away for the sake of clearness.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 -3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of a portion of theperforated nipple which may be associated with the gun, and Figure 5 isan 'enlarged sectional detail view illustrating the manner in which theprojectiles are mounted in the gun. i 'In the embodiment selected toillustrate my invention, I make use of a gun body I0 which is circularin cross section and provided with a tapered lower end I2. Body I9 isprovided with a threaded bore I4 for threaded connection with a shortsection4 of tubing I 6 having a threaded neck I8 which may be connectedwith a perforated nipple 26 'through the medium of a coupling 22, seeFigure I.

Body I0 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal bores 24, 26, 28and 30, each of which communicates with the bore I4, as at 32. Bores 24to 38, inclusive, may be dened as powder trains and the boresrespectively communicate with powder chambers 34, 36,38 and 40.

These chambers have their axes arranged hori-- zontally when the body I0is positioned vertically vin the well preparatory to firing the gun, andthe axes of the powder chambers are arranged to fire their respectiveprojectiles 42 in different radial, directions through the well casingand into the` surrounding formation. All the projectiles 42 areidentical in construction, operatiomand mounting so that the descriptionof one will apply to all.

Referring to Figure 5, the projectile 42 illustrated therein includes ashort cylindrical body 44 provided with a lead`t`apered nose 46 pointingin the vdirection in which the projectile is fired. Powder chamberincludes an\ enlarged counterborel 48 against which I position an ironwasher or ring ing its centrar opening sn fashioned to nt v'tightlyagainst the tapered nose 46. Adjacent the lead washer58 I positionaIcopper gasket '62, and

64. Both the gasket 62 and the iron ring 64 have central openingsadapted to appropriately engagev the tapered nose 46. Internal threads66 are provided in the bore 56 for the receptionof a. threaded clampring 68 provided with bores 10 for coaction with a suitable wrench.

Clamp ring 68 is turned down tightly so as to clamp the lead washer 58,the gasket 62'and the ring 64 tightly on the tapered nose 46 for puttingpressure on thelead plate 50, thus providing an eiective mount for theprojectile in addition to l5 assuring against the entrance of a liquid.Lead plate 50 and the lead ring 64 perform effective sealingfunctions soas to positively insure against 'the entrance of moisture. Each powderchamber is filled with a suitable explosive. and the bores 4or 2olpowder trains 24 to v3i) inclusive are also filled-with the explosivewhich is also true of the space 32. Suitable tightening of the clampring 68 applies considerable pressure toits respective projectiles 42,which provides an advantageous resistance effective on the projectilewhen it is red, thus utilizing the full forceof the explosion for ringthe projectile through the well casing" and into the surroundingformation to a considerable distance. To nre the explosive, I provide aring pan assembly 12, see Figure `2. The assembly includes a cylindricalhead 14 fitting loosely inside a bore 16 l in a sleeve 18 threaded intothe borell of a sleeve 82 threaded into the lower portion of the bore I4and abutting the inner end of the tube I6. Head 14 includes a taper 84fitting against a corresponding taper 86 in the sleeve 18, which sleevehas its bore 88 loosely receiving the cylindrical shank 90 formed as aunit with the head 14. v

Thehead 'Mis provided with two pins 92 spaced slightly from primer caps94 pressed into bores 96 4for igniting the explosive in the 'space 32,which, in turn ignites the explosive in the powder trains 24 to 30inclusive as well as in their respective powder chamber. Pins 92 arenormally slightly spaced from the primer caps 94 and the ring P inassembly is held in its normal position by reason of a shear pin 98. f

Means for lowering the'gun into a well may comprise tubing 98 connectedwith the perforated nipple through the medium of a coupling |80. Afterlowering of the gun, a go-devil is dropped into the tubing 98 forstriking the shank 90 of the firing pin assembly. The impact of thego-devil will shear the pm sa so that the firing pins sz win t5 t bedriven into the primer caps 94 for setting of! the charge.

'Ihe tapered noses 46 of the projectiles facilitate penetrationy of thewell casing as well as the surroundin'g'fomation, so that theprojectiles will penetrate considerable distances in the formation forshattering or breaking up the formation, as well as to establish directcommunication with a new source of oil or the like, thereby increasingthe production of the well.

'I'he taper I2 facilitates lowering of the gun, and the body I0 isalsotapered at |02 to facilitate raising of the gun inside the well. Myinvention embodies'a plurality of powder chambers, each of whichincludes an individual powder train operatively related to a commonfiring mechanism which is actuated through the simple act of dropping ago-devil into the tubing 96.

The individual powder trains provide' a construction which moreeffectively withstands the onrush of iiuid into the gun at great depths,thus more effectively insuring against dampening or wetting of thepowder after one projectile is red.

The projectiles are fired in successive order because of the variablelengths of the powder trains. Guns lowered to great depths are subjectedto enormous pressures. In my invention, the ledges 54 provide effectivebacking for their respective projectiles 42 so that such pressuresmerely increase the seal between the powder chambers and theprojectiles. Thus uids are effectively restrained from entering thepowder chamber.

Figure 1 illustrates the perforated nipple 20 as being provided with twowalls |04, with the perforations located between the two horizontalwalls. The walls may comprise metallic plates welded inside the nipple,as illustrated in Figure 4. 'I'hus the walls |04 prevent fluids frompassing upwardly of the tubing 98 as well as into the tube I6 whichcommunicates with the ring pin assembly 12. Dropping of the go-devil,the falling go-devil will penetrate both walls in its passage to thering pin assembly 12. Thus rupturing of the walls, particularly theupper wall permits the well to produce through the tubing 98 through themedium of the perforated nipple 2. A further advantage incident to theperforated nipple 20 lies in the fact that the well can be kept undercontrol at all times and, if necessary, can be washed through theperforated nipple or the well can be filled with uid or other materialpassed through the perforated nipple. Another advantage in theperforated nipple lies in the fact that the dry tubing 98 willimmediately suck such iiuid from the casing or the well when the upperwall |04 is ruptured, thereby placing a vacuum on the surroundingformation, which is desirable from the standpoint of production.

I have found that a ball may be dropped into the tubing 08 afterrupturing of the walls |04, with the ball taking a position of rest onthe seat |06 so as to function as a closure valve for trapping uid inthe tubing or drill pipe 98. I'hus the tube 98 4may be elevated, and thetrapped liquid will indicate its level in the hole. Accordingly, myinvention embodies a construction wherein the gun may be placed, theprojectiles red into the surrounding formation and through the wellcasing, if necessary, in addition to embodying a structure such that thewell may be produced with the gun in the hole, thus effecting agreatsaving in time and labor.

It will be noted that/the powder trains 24 to 30 inclusive, are locatedclose to the outside diameter of the body I0, which arrangement permitsthe respective powder chambers to be considerably enlarged with respectto length. I'he two pins 02 provide additional assurance that the gunwill be ired when thego-devil is dropped. Occasionally a primer capmight become defective, so that the provision of two caps greatlyincreases the firing possibilities of the gun. Explosions in the powderchambers 34 to 40, inelusive, will drive the projectiles 42 through thewashers 58, the gaskets 62 and the rings 64, with the bores |08 in theclamp ring 60 constituting barrels for the projectiles.

Sleeve 18 coacts with the head 14 to restrain the firing pin assemblyfrom upward movement with respect to anyf explosion forces effectivethereon. The gun may be completely dismantled for reloading purposes soas to be capable of reuse.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, itis, of course, understood that I do not desire to limit the scopethereof to the exact details set forth except insofar as those detailsmay be defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun boreshaving their axes arranged in diierent directions, projectiles alignedwith said bores to be iired therethrough, powder chambers behind theprojectiles, each) powder chamber being provided with a powder train,`and a ring means common to all said powder trains.

2. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gunbores, projectiles aligned with said bores to be red therefrom, powderchambers behind the projectiles, each powder chamber being providedwitha powder train, and a firing means common to all the powder trains.

3. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun boreshaving their axes arranged in different directions, projectiles in saidbores, explosion chambers behind the projectiles, including anindividual bore for each explosion chamber, explosive material in saidexplosion chambers and said individual bores, and. a firing means commonto all said individual bores.

4. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun boreshaving their axes arranged in different directions.' projectiles in saidbores, explosion chambers lbehind the projectiles, including anindividual bore for each explosion chamber, explosive material in saidexplosion chambers and said individual bores, a ring means common to al1said individual bores. said ring means including an explosion spacecommunicating with said bores and a primer cap, and an impact responsivemeans for firing said cap.

5. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun boreshaving their axes arranged in different directions, projectiles in saidbores, explosion chambers behind the pro- "jectiles, including anindividual bore for each explosion chamber, explosive material in saidexplosion chambers and said individual bores, a firing means common toall said individual bores, said flring means including an explosionspace communicating with said trains, and a plurality of primer caps4having impact responsive means for firing said caps.

6. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun boreshaving their axes arrangedin different directions, projectiles alignedwith said bores to be iired`therethrough, powder ,chamber being providedwith a powder train, a iiring meansncommon'to all said powder trains,said projectiles extending partly into said bores, and means for holdingthe projectiles against accidental displacement and coacting with thelatter to sealthe powder chambers from the entrance of outside moisture.

7. A- gun of the type described comprising a` body provided with gunbores having their axes 1,0 arranged in dinerentl directions,projectiles aligned with said boresto be fired therethrough,

powder chambers behind the projectiles, 'eachpowder chamber beingprovided with a powder train, a iiring means common to all said powderl5 trains, said rlng means including a primer cap and an impactresponsive means for firing the cap,

' and shear means for normally holding the impact responsive means outofring engagement with said primer cap. l

8. A gun of the type described comprising 'a body provided with gunbores having their axes arranged in dierent directions, projectiles.aligned with said bores to be fired therethrough, powderchambers-behind the projectiles, each 2'5 powder chamber being providedwith a 4powder train, a ring means common to all said powder trains,said iring means includingV a plurality of primer caps and impactresponsive 4means for ring the caps, and ,shear means for normally $0holdingthe impact responsive mean out of firing engagement with saidprimer caps.

y projectiles inside the projectile receiving bores.

means coacting with said body and the projectiles for holding the latteragainst said shoulders, said means including bored elements constitutinggun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of saidexplosionchambers, a flring means common to all said explLosivecontaining bores, said ring means including a, primer cap and an impactresponsive element for iiring the cap, and shear means for normallyholding the impact responsive r515 element out of iiring engagement withsaid primer cap.

11. A gun ofthe type described comprising a body provided with explosivecontaining chambers having shoulders and projectile receiving bores,

projectiles inside the projectile receiving bores,

means coactingA with said body and the projectiles for holding thelatter against said shoulders, said means including bored elements con'-stituting gun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of saidexplosive chambers, a iiring means common to vall'said explosivecontaining bores, said flring means including a plurality of primer.caps and impact responsive elements for :tiring the caps, and shearmeans for normally holding thev impact .responsive elements out of .ringengagement with said primer caps.

12. A gun of the type described comprising a Vbody provided withexplosive containing chambers having vshoulders and projectile receivingl bores, projectiles inside the .projectile receiving bores'meanscoacting with said body and the pro-4 jectiles for holding the latteragainst said shoulders, said means including bored elements conystituting gun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of saidexplosion chambers, a firing means 5 common to all said explosivecontainingbores, and

a sealing means between the projectiles and their: respective shoulders.

13. A lgurl of the type described comprising a body provided withexplosive containing chambers l0 having, shoulders and` projectilereceiving bores, projectiles inside the projectile receiving bores,means coacting with said body and the projectiles for holding the latteragainst said shoulders, said means including bored elements constitutinggun l5 bores, an explosive containing bore foreach of said explosionchambers, a iiringv means commonto all said explosive containing bores,and a sealing means incorporated in said rst mentioned l means. 20

' responsive element to support the latter against the forces ofexplosion effective thereon. 15. A gun of the type described comprising.a 'i5 body provided with explosive containing cham- `bers havingshoulders land projectile receivingl bores, projectiles inside theprojectile receiving bores, means coasting with said body and theprojectiles for 'holding the latter against said shoul- 40 ders, saidmeans including bored elements lconstituting gun bores, an explosivecontaining bore for each of said explosion chambers, a firing meanscommon to all said explosive` containing bores, a sealing means betweenthe projectiles and their 45 respective shoulders, a perforated nippleconnected `with said gun, walls in said perforated nipple with theperforations in the latter positioned between said walls, and tubingconnected with said perforated nipple, said tubing andsaid perforatednipple being adapted to guide a gravity propelled mass into impingingrelation-with said impact responsive element and said walls beingadaptedto be ruptured by the .gravity propelled mass, said perforated nippleconstituting a uid 55 inlet for said tubing on rupturlng of said walls.16. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided withexplosive containing chambers having shoulders and projectile receivingbores, projectiles inside the projectile receiving 60 bores, meanscoacting with saidbody and the projectiles for holding the latteragainst said shoulders, said means including bored elements constitutinggun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of said explosionchambers,A a ilring 65 means common to all saidfexplosive containingbores, a sealing means. between the projectilesl and. their respectiveshoulders, a perforated nipple connected with. said gun, walls in saidperforated nipplewith the perforations in the latter positioned 70between said walls, tubing connected with said perforated-nipple, saidtubing and saidv perforated nipplebeing adapted to guide a gravitypropelled to be ruptured by the gravity propelled mass, said perforatednipple constituting a iluid inlet for said tubing on rupturing of saidwalls, and a seat associated with said nipple above the perforationstherein for supporting a valve element dropped thereon for trapping uidin said tubing above said perforated nipple.

17. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with powderchambers, said body being provided with a plurality of projectilereceiving bores communicating with the powder chambers and havingshoulders, projectiles in said projectile bores, sealing means betweenthe projectiles and said shoulders, threaded: bores coaxially alignedwith said projectile bores, said A projectiles having tapered noses,sealing and retaining means positioned in said threaded bores andengaging the tapered noses of said projectiles, rings having threadedconnection with said threaded bores and adapted to press said sealingand retaining means against said tapered noses, said rings havingopenings constituting barrel bores for the projectiles, with the barrelbores having their axes arranged in diiIerent directions one above theother, a powder train for each of said powder chambers, and a rlng meanscommon to all said powder trains.

CLARENCE A. RICOU.

